Suns rumors: Coaching search ‘reinforcing’ Kevin Durant trade plans..
The Suns are looking for a new head coach heading into next season and they still plan on dealing Kevin Durant.
By Troy FinneganJun 2, 2025 at 9:44 AM ET
Apple News LogoSubscribe
Google News LogoFollow Us
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) gestures to the referee for a foul call against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena.
The Phoenix Suns are still picking up the pieces from a terrible 2024-25 season based on their lofty expectations coming in. Injuries played a part in the abysmal 36-46 finish, but it was clear throughout the campaign that the Suns were not going to compete for a championship with this roster even at full strength.
That failure led to a predictable coaching change at the end of the year, as the Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer quickly after their final game.
The Suns also almost traded star forward Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, but opted to hold onto him instead. Now, a deal to send Durant out of town seems imminent even as the Suns continue to search for a new head coach, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“There have been strong indications during the search process, sources say, to reinforce the notion that Phoenix is likely to move on from Kevin Durant after Durant’s 2 1/2-season run in the desert,” Stein wrote. “It has been anticipated for some time that Phoenix, no matter who is hired as the new coach, will explore its Durant trade options this offseason — in collaboration with the future Hall of Famer and his business manager Rich Kleiman — after Phoenix unilaterally pursued a Durant trade in February that the 36-year-old ultimately urged them not to make.”
Article Continues Below
More Phoenix Suns News
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after making a basket and being fouled against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Footprint Center.Phoenix Suns
Suns rumors: How coaching search is shutting down Devin Booker trade speculation
Malik Brown · 22 hours ago
Suns star Kevin Durant attends a WNBA game between the Atlanta Dream and LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.Phoenix Suns
Suns’ Kevin Durant responds to hater with 3-word mic drop
Miguel La Torre · 3 days ago
Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach David Fizdale (left) and Phil Handy against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.Phoenix Suns.
Suns rumors: The head coach candidate who has ‘support of key players’
Malik Brown · 3 days ago
timberwolves, Kevin Durant, Dejounte Murray, and Jarrett AllenMinnesota Timberwolves
3 early Minnesota Timberwolves trade targets in 2025 NBA offseason
Garrett Kerman · 3 days ago
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the second quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves rumors: Will Kevin Durant trade be priority after another WCF loss?
Preston Byers · 4 days ago.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends him in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn ImagesPhoenix Suns
Suns rumors: Brian Windhorst makes 98% Kevin Durant trade prediction
Jake Faigus · 4 days ago
The Suns clearly need a reset of some sort, and it seems that sending Durant elsewhere is the path that they are going to take to get there. It feels less likely that the Suns would choose to move on from Devin Booker, the younger homegrown star in Phoenix.
The return for Durant this offseason will be a fascinating storyline to watch. On one hand, he is still one of the best scorers in the NBA and is unguardable when he has the ball. The former MVP can immediately transform any offense that he joins with his shotmaking making him an attractive target for some teams.
About The Author
